Michael Owen expects England to improve against Argentina after being ‘played off the park by Norway’ as he points out parts of Thomas Tuchel’s team that have not been firing.
Two Jude Bellingham goals saw the Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 on Saturday in Miami, but they needed extra time to do it.
That victory – and Argentina’s 3-1 extra time win over Switzerland – set up a blockbuster semi-final on Wednesday, with France taking on Spain in the other half of the draw on Tuesday.
England are into the last four without performing at their best for much of the tournament, with only quite short periods of excellence against Croatia and Mexico.
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There have been underwhelming spells against Ghana, Panama, DR Congo and for a lot of the win over Norway.
Owen, who scored 40 goals in 89 England caps, thought England were not great in the win over Mexico and poor again despite beating Norway.
However, he believes there will be an improvement when they take on the Lionel Messi-led Argentina on Wednesday.
‘I went against the grain after Mexico when I highlighted the technical flaws of the team performance and explained why a lot of what I saw that night concerned me,’ Owen wrote in the Daily Mail.
‘Not everyone agreed and some thought I was being negative. I wasn’t. I thought it was important to look beyond the drama and entertainment, because that informs what happens next. What did happen next? They were played off the park by Norway for large periods and couldn’t get control of the game. It was exactly as I feared.
‘I hear a lot of people now saying it will just have to be this way: England winning ugly. I don’t buy that, and I haven’t given up on England being better against Argentina.’
Owen feels Argentina’s willingness to attack will help England, where they have struggled against more defensive sides.
He also sees star men Bellingham and Harry Kane as likely to be at top form yet again, although has questioned those around them.
The former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker has hit out at the lack of goals from the wingers at the World Cup, while criticising the midfielders’ ability to keep hold of the ball.
‘The scary thought is, I believe we will see another level again to Bellingham in Atlanta,’ he said. ‘If any player will rise to that occasion, it will be him. What we need is everyone else to go with him. Kane is a guarantee — but can the wingers finally chip in with some goals? Can the midfield keep the ball for more than a few passes?
‘I’ve been fairly unimpressed by a lot of what I’ve seen from England so far, but I also know how football works. The biggest games have a habit of bringing the biggest performances, especially from the biggest players. That is why Tuchel was right not to sugar-coat Norway.’
Tuchel was critical of his team’s quality against Norway, saying they were lucky, and Owen reckons that was the right thing to do.
‘His players didn’t need protecting. They needed reminding that there is another level. Criticism isn’t always a warning. Sometimes it’s a challenge. England can answer that against Argentina.’